Okay, since we're all Alabama boys, I figure I'll tell a story that's somewhat related.
I live in Birmingham, AL. I used the Weber "where to buy" search and found a couple of stores nearby that listed the WSM.
The first one I went to had a WSM on display. I asked them the price, and they quoted $189.99. That was higher than Amazon, and I would have to pay tax. But I could almost taste the ribs! So I opened it up and checked it out. I found the manual, and looked through the parts list. Some very important parts were missing, like the charcoal grate and ring. I mentioned it to the clerk, and he couldn't find it after looking in the back. Darn!
I went to the next store, and another WSM was on display. No price was on it, so I asked the "grill expert" there. He went to the back to check the book, and he came back with a price of $69! I could not only taste the ribs at that point, but I could see the chicken and smell the pork. MMM, MMM, GOOD! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif My ethics kicked in, and I said, "are you sure it's not $169?" He said, "nope, that's what the book said." I checked the machine thoroughly, and every part was there, down to the last bolt.
So, my happy self went to the register and declared, "I want that one over there! That guy said it was $69!" But the clerk at the register didn't seem so sure. She looked at the WSM, saw that there was no price, and called up the store owner. After a very brief conversation, she told me, "the owner says that that grill is $299." WHAT!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif That's $100 over the retail price! /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif That's $230 over the price I was quoted! /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif I called over the guy that quoted the price. He tried (not very hard) to back up his claim, but the clerk said, "sorry, the owner said $299, so that's what it is!"
Now, I couldn't taste or see or smell anything, but I just heard sad, sad music playing in my head. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif No ribs for me today . . .
I went home, logged onto Amazon.com, and got my WSM in a few weeks for $179.99 with no tax or shipping charges. And we all lived heavier ever after! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
(John, the lesson here is that you should make sure that all the parts are there when you go pick it up.)
The End.
--Mickey
